Having been unusually busy with work the last couple of weeks, I have assuaged my guilt of allowing my youngest child to watch Polar Express over and over again by taking this train-obsessed little boy to the London Transport Museum a couple times. Just as my two-year-old doesn't understand what I find so interesting about writing about family outings in London, I don't get this train thing; but the two of us have worked out the thinking mummy's guide to Covent Garden (and surrounding areas) at Christmas.
A splash of reindeer kitsch, a dash of opera, view a little British Art, have the kids make something, go for a skate, listen to music or storytelling, take an iconic family Christmas tree shot and you can walk out of the West End feeling pretty good about family life. You might even feel like taking that mummy-halo out to admire its new shine.
There are loads of interesting things to do and see this time of year, beginning with Trafalgar Square and the 30 metre tall Norwegian Christmas tree, take a family snap in front of one of the best narrative backdrops for the season. Every evening until Christmas (excepting Tuesday 20 December), there will be carol singing in the square from 5pm.
The National Gallery has a great programme for families. Adults and infants can take a guided walk and talk, children under five can listen to storytelling based on a painting and older children can take part in free art workshops. All free, but first come first serve basis.
After Trafalgar Square, walk over to Covent Garden Market and continue to take in the magic. Lavish decorations include acres of ribbon, two tonne sized baubles, a zillion fairy lights, an enormous privet reindeer complete with a red nose. There is a towering, bedazzled Christmas tree; opera performers, buskers and carol singers; mulled wine and other Christmas treats and along with gifts galore.
After a look around the market check and see if the Piazza Café is open in the Royal Opera House, just stop by reception and ask. If it is open, you will be escorted to a lift and walk by the doors of the upper circle to the expansive, and mostly un-crowded café where you can enjoy a gorgeous coffee and cake at a reasonable price in the most sophisticated of somewhat child-friendly settings.
If you have little ones, take them over to the London Transport Museum and watch them run, climb, explore, pretend, learn and fall in love with the story of transit. Summit the perilous upper deck of the Edwardian omnibuses; ride in the "Harry Potter compartment" of the Victorian commuter train; drive a tube on a simulator; or just enjoy the pushing the buttons, looking at the models and learning a bit about the transformation on London. During the school holidays, beginning the 19 of December, LTM will be holding art workshops and storytelling events for children. Tickets are £13.50 but are valid for an entire year, good value if you live locally as this as it is the perfect inclement weather destination for little ones in the West End. Children under 16 are not charged.
After you have explored Covent Garden, head over to Somerset House for a slightly more relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy watching the skating rink, or book tickets for the family; admire the Tiffany Christmas tree; partake in storytelling activities or attend a family art workshop. Children's authors will be reading from their books this season next to the Tiffany Christmas tree with fun literacy enhancing activities immediately following. Authors will be signing books after, a wonderful way to give a very literary child a signed gift. Take your progeny through the Dazed and Confused 20 year retrospective showing at Somerset House through the end of January. Laugh at your impending middle-agedness as you pick your toddler up off the floor of the exhibit where hip looking school kids look with curiosity at the icons of our heyday.
After your time in the courtyard at Somerset House, head over to the little known but positively grand Two Temple Place for their free exhibit on William Morris. Two Temple Place is the late Victorian period home of William Waldorf Astor and is located just around the corner from Somerset House on the Victoria Gardens. It has been restored to grandeur and is open to the public, free of charge. They have William Morris costumes for children to try on and wear during their visit.
Monday - Friday Special Events:
Carol Singing Trafalgar Square: 5:00pm daily
London Transport Museum: Open daily from 10am, except Fridays 11:00am. From 19th - 23rd December make a mosaic coaster or wall hanging, noon - 3pm ages 5+. Kite Making Workshops 27th December - 3rd January, noon - 3pm, ages 5+. Story Time 27thDecember - 3rd January 11am, for the under fives.
Story Telling at Somerset House: Thursday 22nd December from 3:15-3:45 (different books for different ages)
Two Temple Place is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 - 4:30. Closed on Tuesdays
National Gallery Wednesday 25 and Thursday 29 December 10:30 - 11:30 Magic Carpet Storytelling Sessions for the under 5's
National Gallery Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29, 11:00am - 1:00pm repeated 2:00-4:00pm and another workshop 11:15 - 1:15pm repeated 2:15-4:15, Art Workshops for 5-11. Free, drop in, tickets allocated on arrival
Saturday and Sunday Events:
London Transport Museum open from 10am Saturday and Sunday
Two Temple Place: open noon - 5pm Saturday and Sunday